We Hindus use the sacred stone (Sivalingam) to focus during our prayers so that our attention does not divert elsewhere. This is done so that during prayers, we think of nothing but God. By doing this it does not mean we pray to the stone.
It is like using a cup to drink water. The cup is just an object to help you gulp the water down the throat. Without the cup, it will be difficult to drink the water. It does not mean your body needs the cup. It simply means we are using the cup to get what the body wants.
Similarly, the Muslims too worship in the direction of a sacred stone in Kaabah. You pray in that direction everyday. During Haaj, the Muslims go around the Kaabah, kiss the stone and bow towards its direction. By doing this, it does not mean the Muslims worship the stone. It simply means it is used as a focus point by Muslims worldwide.
The only difference between you Muslim and us Hindus is this. What you do in Mecca is what we do daily in our temples and in our home. Fact is, we both are using these stones to help us focus in our prayer. So next time, think before you claim that we Hindu worship stones. Because there is not much difference from the way you do it too.
